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Crime & Safety

'Tunnel to Towers' 5K Run in Lake Orion to Honor First Responders

A 5k walk/run this weekend in Lake Orion will raise funds to send two Michigan first responder heroes to NYC for National Tunnel to Towers Run.

The Michigan Remembers 9-11 Fund is hosting the second annual Tunnel to Towers Detroit 5k walk/run on Sept. 8 in Lake Orion.

Proceeds will be used to send Oakland County Sheriff’s Deputy Trevor Sanford and Dispatch Specialist Eric Snyder to New York City for the national Tunnel to Towers 5k.

Staff and equipment from the U.S. Army, the Orion Township Fire Department, and the Oakland County SWAT team will be available for children and families to interact with after the run. Also, there will be a special guest—New York City firefighter Mike Cooney.

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“We are looking forward to sending Trevor and Eric to New York, and welcoming firefighter Cooney to Michigan,” said Scott Watkins, co-found of the Michigan Remembers 9-11 Fund. “We encourage everyone to join us for run. Let’s send Trevor and Eric off with everyone’s support, and show our guest from New York how important first responder heroes are here in Michigan.”

With over 100 participants last year, Watkins is hopeful he will see some new faces, especially since there will be several new touches this year.

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Robert Smith, Interim Fire Chief of The Orion Township Fire Department, was contacted by Lt. Toth of the OCSD Sub-Station to participate in the event. Smith said he excitedly jumped at the opportunity to contribute and bring equipment for everyone to enjoy.

The LOFD will have one fire engine and a rescue on site for static display.  Members of the LOFD will be on hand to show people what they do and answer any questions anyone may have.

“We do not want 9/11 to ever become a faded memory in anyone’s life,” said Smith. “I will continue to support and offer the fire department to participate to people who continue to keep the awareness of the event and how we recovered as a strong nation. This is very dear to all of our people and they never want us to suffer like this again.”

The Sept. 8 event will include a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m. to mark the time that the first plane struck the Twin Towers, and a reading of the names of the victims from Michigan who died in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. The 5k run/walk will start at 9:11 a.m

To register for the 5k walk/run, go to the registration website. The start line is located at 2700 Joslyn Court, Wildwood Amphitheater at Civic Center Park, Orion Township. Registration fees start at $25. For more information e-mail Michiganremembers@gmail.com or visit the website.

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